No parent should ever have to bury their child, but leave it to one local police department to take an already-heartbreaking occasion and turn it into a nightmare.
Donna Watson was gathered with friends and family for a funeral ceremony following the sudden death of her 31-year-old son Troy. The service had just gotten underway in the Virginia church when a dozen armed police officers in tactical gear decided to disrupt the funeral. Apparently, Troy's best friend Rodney Peace in attendance that afternoon was wanted on a number of criminal charges.
Instead of waiting for the ceremony to conclude to take Peace into custody, authorities barged into the crowded church mid-ceremony to grab him, leaving attendees in shock and one grieving mother beside herself.
"I will never have an opportunity for a do-over on my son's funeral never," Donna Watson wrote in a Facebook post. "There was standing room only in the chapel, so you can imagine the scene. After being taken outside the chapel, (Peace) begged the officers to please let him go back in because this was, and always had been his best friend. They handcuffed him, and let him sit outside the chapel doors to listen to the service."
Peace was supposed to speak at the funeral but was ultimately unable to do so.
Funeral Crashers
Donna Watson slammed the police response as "inconsiderate" and "heartless" and demanded to know why the arrest of her dead son's best friend couldn't have waited until after he was put to rest. Many online seemed to agree.
But authorities argued it was the right thing to do. Police Lt. Paul Intravia insisted that although the timing was "unfortunate", officers had little choice but to act on reports Peace was at the funeral. "We had been looking for him for some time and he has avoided arrest since October last year," he explained to reporters.
Intravia was quick to point out Troy Watson's final goodbye and Peace's role in it was not their only consideration. "We have a victim that's involved in this as well and their rights are just as important as his right to say goodbye to his friend. They could have simply escorted him out when they first made contact and brought him directly to jail."
Was There a Better Way?
That very same debate was then waged on social media, where police supporters and detractors traded jabs. One commenter argued the police tactics were poor: "They could have waited and some could have (dressed) in plain clothes like a suit," and police had zero consideration for "how the deceased family would feel about having their family member's funeral be disrespected."
"Arrest warrants aren't executed with the criminal's convenience in mind," another person shot back. "There is no, 'sorry to bother you, you're wanted on 'x' charges. Is now a good time to take you down or should we come back when you're ready.'"
"Rather than blaming police for protecting citizens by putting away criminals," wrote another, "why not maybe, blame criminals for their actions that cause painful consequences to innocent people around them?"
Paying (Dis)respect
Regardless of your affinity for maintaining law and order, it is worth asking if police officers should consider the moral implications of raiding a funeral particularly when the family involved has no part in any alleged crime.
As Donna Watson noted, there is no "do-over" when it comes to a family member's funeral. The memory of that event will now forever be tainted by an ill-timed police raid that some argue was avoidable.
It certainly seems a curious decision - especially in an era when police tactics are under increased scrutiny and police departments are constantly searching for ways to bond with the community and increase public support. Finding another option for detaining the best friend could have helped the cops save some face not to mention shielding a grieving mother from additional stress and embarrassment. But too late now.
45 comments
-
Jim
Right on point Joe. There is a lot of info missing on the initial article. COD for the dead guy, what exactly is the best friend wanted for? the police had been trying to find him since last Oct. sounds like some folks have been helping to hide him. Way to much info missing, and if they have to disrupt the service to get him so be it.
-
JASON D BENDER
Hopewell Police Lieutenant Paul Intravia said Peace was wanted for credit fraud and failure to appear, and he had a preliminary protective order taken out against him for family abuse.
YAWN!!!
-
Joe
Guess it wasn't your I'd stolen
-
Carl Elfstrom
Sue the pigs!!! At least get some compensate on. That will make the mother feel better.
-
flugo
Yep, Carl, sue the cops! It's their fault! They offended the poor ole lawbreaker and his misunderstood family. Let's focus attention on the whining 'mother' instead of the credit card victim and abused family members. Boo-hoo!
This miserable miscreant has been on the run, hiding from responsibility and accountability.
This 'big man' abusing family members. (takes lotta balls to work the family over, eh?)
This cheating thief was 'inconvenienced' by the police who were doing their job. Boo-hoo, poor ole waste of space!
You, Carl, represent the growing stench of bleeding hearts, of soppy do-gooders who belittle authority, and of those parading the criminal/crime to the detriment of civility and the law abiding. -
flugo
'Sue the pigs!' Yes, Carl, and your 'brains' are between your buttocks .
In the book of Romans, it says plainly all authority is ordained of God. So, when you badmouth/abuse the police, you are criticizing God's appointed agents of civil order. .. . . . to your peril!
This miscreant, HE was a fugitive, HE brought all this shame/discord upon HIMself and family. HE subjectied HIMself to the attention of the police, who were doing their jobs.
If you've the integrity/objectivity/intelligence to properly analyze this situation, you'll NOT blame the authorities.
-
-
John Owens
I don't know. I think the police raid MADE the funeral. Now, EVERYONE there will remember it. I don't see the problem, unless you just hate police anyway. Never heard anything about the deceased's father, here, what he thought about it.
-
Chad V. Westfall
You think they were actually sexy stripper cops, like they have at the Chinese funerals? If so, THEY DESERVE TIPS ???
-
Carl Elfstrom
The church organist should have at least played the song that goes "Bad boys, bad boys, what are you going to do when they come for you, bad boys,bad boys! Personally John, I think very highly of the police, have never been convicted of a crime, have only been arrested three times, twice for fighting and one disorderly conduct, have more than five years full time experience working in security, and have diplomas for courses I took in security, paralegal studies, private investigating, and military training, among others. I also think of myself as a patriotic American, and I am a registered voter who prefers to vote Republican. I'm also left handed, and an Aquarius. However, I still say that woman should sue those pigs!
-
John Owens
The Bad Boys part was funny, Carl, but I don't think she has any legal grounds to sue the fuzz and win.
-
-
-
-
Clarence
I wonder if the cops recorded a lip sync battle video during the raid ?
-
Joe
What a beautiful outpouring of sympathy!
-
Rev. Nobody
The comments that are being posted are totally unnecessary. What ever happened to if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all. We live in a world that is so full of hate. It was a funeral, the friend was wanted for a crime, were there other options for the arrest probably so. In a perfect world none of this would have happened in the first place. There wouldn't have been a funeral, there wouldn't have been crime committed, there wouldn't be any nasty comments being posted. Stop all the hate an opinion can be expressed without hate or malice. Hearts have to soften or our children are going to be living in pathetic and miserable world. My condolences to the family of deceased. And I pray that the friend gets his life together. Because when all is said and done all this is his fault. If he had been a thinking man he would have chosen a different life path. All this would have been prevented. But now it's done and the only thing that can be done is to pray for them and ourselves.
-
Carl Elfstrom
Haven't you ever heard "Opinions are like a--holes. We all have one, and they all stink. Yours and mine included.
-
-
Joe
Living in a State that favors criminals it is refreshing.
-
JOLENE MARCELLA TRAVIS
So why was your son hanging around woetworth criminals in the first place?????? Go Cops!!!!
-
rebadams7
There are a lot of ways to bring someone into custody that do not require heavy handed tactics in the face of a group of already traumatized morning people. Was there some other reason they decided that barnstorming a funeral was a great idea? These officers of the law these people who are set to serve and protect seem to have gotten some priorities skewed
-
Stephanie Willey
I'll bet that if Rodney Peace was white, the police would have walked in to a funeral and calmly, even quietly said to him, "We have a warrant for your arrest. Will you come peacefully ?".
-
Carl Elfstrom
Stephanie, I bet you're not white.
-
-
Minister Dave
Hate to say it police are turning into paramilitary. At 63 and a minister since 1974 I am actually afraid of police Had to flee a wild fire. Went to Santa Rosa California for a hotel until danger passed. As I was inventorying my gear I’m told to lay on ground? Then he left
-
Lori
We'll never know for sure, Stephanie. It's like Jim said, there's too much missing from the article. People in charge don't always make the right decisions.....and criminals don't think about what they do to the people around them. This was a no win situation that cannot really be defined. Everyone can try to pick sides, but it really is a fools game to do so.
-
Tom B
If the criminal was suspected of being armed, the police action was correct...if there was no such suspicion, the police could have either blocked all exits and arrested the criminal as he was leaving, or sent in 2 plain-clothes detectives to quietly tell the criminal he had to come with them, after which it would be up to the criminal whether or not to disrupt the funeral by resisting...the latter is the tactic employed when ICE hears of a defendant in a court for another reason, and they do not want to disrupt the court...Peace...Tom
-
Carl Elfstrom
Then again Tom, the church could have been called "Criminals For Christ."bob might even be the pastor of it. Or maybe it's in a very bad part of town, or they've had multiple arrests of violent offenders in that church. The police could have very justifiable reasons for their actions. And considering that the police are the police, and have a pretty good track record, I'd give them the benefit of a doubt. But don't listen to me. I've got four seasons of Walker Texas Ranger on DVD, and five seasons of the X-Files,which are two of my favorite shows. And I watched an episode of Highlander today, and plan to watch another one tonight. I just got the fourth season in the mail from Amazon, a few days ago. Atleast I didn't say to draw your sword...peace...love...kisses...Carl
-
Carl Elfstrom
P.S. I've missed you, Tom. Glad you're back. I also miss Rabbi Jim, and John Maher. I hope they're alright. And we haven't heard much from good ol'Linda Happeny lately either. I wonder what's up with that. Just in case they feel discouraged, and don't think we appreciate their comments, I, for one, would like to say that I really do, and miss y'all too.
-
-
-
Rev. Brien
Yet another story meant to incite hatred for the police. This time ULC you have truly disgusted me. Allow me to break this down for you:
1: Society has created laws that everyone in this country is expected to live by.
2: We EMPLOY people to enforce those laws in order to PROTECT the general public. They are called POLICE.
3: When you NEED a police officer you are DAMN happy when one shows up.
4: If you break the law, the Police will arrest you, you are a criminal.
5: Evading the police puts others at risk, making your crime worse.
6: Obey an officers' instructions. Resisting an officer will get you injured or killed.
Conclusion: STOP BLAMING the Police for criminal activity. Blame the...CRIMINAL! Once again, I have written this as simply as possible. I do not give a fiddlers damn as to your opinion as this is NOT open to interpretation.
-
Marilyn E Gibson
Yes!!!!
-
flugo
Excellent!
-
-
Michael Mangold
It was deliberately meant to humiliate. Cops are heirs of the CIA's psych-ops. They now operate with the "Us vs. Them" mentality. And guess what? Even with all the "law is the law" posturing, you ain't one of "us."
Get off your high horses. Even though the woman caught in adultery broke the "law," Jesus showed us we have no right to throw the first stone. The average American knowingly or unknowingly commits three felonies a day. Dwell on that the next time you feel the need to condemn someone else.
-
Jim
SO you condemn the cops for doing their job? I do not commit 3 felonies a day and I would say I'm an average American. I would like to know the life you lead if your committing 3 felonies a day.
-
Carl Elfstrom
I can't even remember the last time I committed a felony. It's really been that long ago. Thank God I've never been caught for other than a few misdemeanors, and have never had to spend more than a week at the Galveston County Hilton.
-
Marilyn E Gibson
Good question
-
-
Rev. Brien
Hmmm, get off my "high horse"? I chose to blame the criminal and not the MEN and WOMEN that we employ to protect us from the criminal. It seems that you on the other hand have some weird possibly drug induced vision of the police. When you need a police officer, they will still show up to help you, even if your view of them is distorted. You are proof that the country that I love so much is finally starting to circle the drain. You want to throw around the name of Jesus? When all hell finally breaks lose, maybe Jesus will send a cop to help you. Then again, if he answers my prayer, he will let you live with your choices.
-
-
The Doctor
This is classic damn society to capture a individual that had no meaningful criminal history. He had yet to be convicted of any crime. they had not even charged him with failure to appear which was his only easily proven bit of wrong doing.
Using a social gathering meant to bring closure to take down an at best white collar criminal( which he isnt until convicted) is typical sloppy police work.
It would of been far more civil to put a tail on him at the funeral and wait till he had gone off on his own. It would of also reduced risk as taking some down in a heavily populated church is a recipe for civilian casualties if violence does break out on either side.
Imagine if something as common as him reaching for a cell phone to call his lawyer had resulted in cops discharging their weapons.
It just reeks of incompetence on the part of the so called civil servants aka the blue mafia that puts making their arrest quota over all other considerations.
-
William Waugh
Naw....this whole story is bs. The crook and deseased were best friends?????? Probly helped hide him from the po-po. I did not vote for our current crooked president, but, this is the kind of swamps that need drained!
-
Carl Elfstrom
William, if he's not your crooked president too, you must not be an American. I didn't vote for him either, but he is still our president, and as such deserves our respect and honor. I'd be the first to vote to impeach Trump, but until he leaves office, don't forget that he is our president, like it or not.
-
-
power to the people
The police don't care.....unless it's one of their own, then it's a HUGE ordeal. They have assumed control. Your freedom is a joke. Get used to it, it's only going to get worse.
-
Stephen Carter
More bully tactics. They respect no one. They care nothing for anyones feelings. Then they demand compliance. One day they will answer to the people not the politicians. At that point decent cops will hopefully start taking charge.
Do your thing take away the mayors and the councils control and funding of law enforcement. Take away the profit motive. Bring back cops we can respect rather than fear. Give cops back their self respect.
-
flugo
Carter, what a crock of crap!
ALL authority is from God, according to the 13th chapter of Romans. ALL authority. . . . . from our parents, teachers, work supervisor, cops, government officials, country leaders up to God.And if we resist, we resist God's choice of leadership. And that's not a good position in which to be!
Just think about this: Discipline because Johnny resisted parental authority; school suspension when Johnny disobeys teacher; Johnny gets hurt when he doesn't stop when cops order him to; Loss of job when Johnny keeps showing up late; when Johnny goes AWOL in the Army he gets incarcerated; and when Johnny defies God and 'does his own thing', he suffers. ALL these examples demonstrate the result of resisting/disobeying authority.
Only a rebellious miscreant would espouse your lawless disrespect of authority . . . . . to their peril!
-
Mike Tulley
What to do? What to do? What is right and what is wrong? I may be an ordained minister but I do not believe in a Diety called God, or Allah, or what ever one chooses to call their higher power! In every state there are good cops and bad cops, good people and bad people! Did your God die and give you the right to do his job and judge others? If I'm right God himself said (judge not lest ye be judged! He also said if I remember correctly that (HE) is the only one who can judge others not us as it's his job alone! My Diety is a Diety of love, acceptance, tolerance everything that is good! Who chooses who graduates from a police academy and becomes a police officer? Humans do not God! I don't know about anyone else but a city police chief is chosen my the city's mayor, a high sheriff is chosen in an election by the people! God don't appoint them! What is right and what is wrong? We know right from wrong because some of us were raised by great parents who taught us right from wrong, and some people chose to do wrong and they should be punished!
-
flugo
Tulley: You can't ride the fence without getting splinters in your ass. . . . . . as you've just done.
You said you don't ' . . . believe in a Diety called God . . . ' Yet you quote God ';. . judge not lest . . . .' . and ' . . . (HE) is the only one who can judge . . . . .'. You gotta either crap, or get off the pot, man!
In Matthew, Jesus told us to judge 'rightly'. He, also, said to 'rebuke' the errant. Anyone with common sense knows in order to rebuke, it requires perception, discernment, and judgment.
You either believe the Word of God what Romans 13 says about authority, or you can ignore it to your peril. Quite simple. God essentially says it's 'My Way, or the highway'!
-
Joy
Yes, justice had to be served! You commit the crime you do the time! NO... the way the authorities handled the arrest was NOT necessary! No one is saying that Peace should have gotten away with whatever his crimes were. But the mother, family, and friends of the deceased were not responsible for what Peace did and should not have had to endure such rude disrespect and interruption of them saying goodbye to someone they would never be able to say goodbye in this way again. Why punish innocent people for someone else's crime; that is exactly what happen. The officers could have waited out side (surrounded the building even), and waited for the service to be over. Ms. Watson, you and your family have my deepest condolences, I am so very sorry that you all had to endure such disrespect that could have easily been handled with more love and compassion for your pain and suffering. I pray that the peace of GOD ALMIGHTY rests in your hearts, minds, and Spirits, and the Lord will wrap His loving arms around each of you with comfort. Ms. Watson, please do not let this make you bitter, everyone WILL reap what they sow. Forgive them quickly and move forward.
GALATIANS 6: 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
ROMANS 12: 15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
Sincerely, Minister Joy Wright
-
flugo
'minister' joy wrong: You don't know what you're talking about! I've been a cop. The element of surprise is vital in many situations.. . . . .for everybody's safety. Many times 'wait & see' compromises a good outcome of the apprehension.
The offender is the one who should get criticized., not the cops. The miscreant made choices that created this situation.Your attitude is part of the problem of today's lack of respect of authority.
-
Joy
b0Blf, I respect your outlook and how you feel regarding this matter. However, that does not change my outlook. I'm not arguing just stating what I have a right to (Write what's in my heart). My heartfelt thoughts are true and genuine and my feelings aren't based on what is going on in Mr. Peace' s life, but the family's right to say goodbye to their loved one without the disrespect they endure. I have never been a cop so I don't argue your viewpoint. You have every right to speak/write whats in your heart and so do I. My deepest condolences are still with the grieving family and friends. I will not make this about you or myself. Peace and Love being with you always. Have a wonderful evening Sir.
-
-
Tonya Ann Flynn
I know this post is late, but if the cops were in tactical gear and not just police uniforms, there is much not disclosed. Tactical gear and several heavily armed police officers means they alleged person was believed to be DANGEROUS!!!!!!! This was a peaceful and yes a stressful and hard time for the family and members. But think about it, small time criminals get a police badge, bigger time criminals get tactical gear to stop any additional harm to others. Imagine if he had a weapon or if one of the other friends had weapons at that funeral. Too much speculation and also bear in mind, not all alleged charges are open to the public.
Criminals rights are less important than protecting potential victims. The story doesn't mention cod on the dead guy but chances are it was chrime related.